Apparatus for boring wells



W. W. VAUGHN. Apparatus for Boring Wells.

Patented Nov. 9, 1880.

Wfin z 5 SE 5 N. PETERS, PHOTO-LITHOGRAPQER. WASHINGTON. D O.

FFIClE-c ATEN'I WALTER IV. VAUGHN, OF STOCKTON, CALIFORNIA.

APPARATUS FOR BORING WELLS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 234,151, dated November 9, 1880,

Application filed January 19, 1880.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, WALTER W. VAUGHN, of Stockton, San Joaquin county, and State of California, have invented an Improved Apparatus for Boring Wells; and I do hereby declare thatthe following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

My invention contemplates improvements in boring wells, &c.; audit consists in combining with a tubing and atspindled sinking cone having a stud thereon a inanipulatingrope or equivalent medium, and a threaded conical cylinder, withj'a 'stud engaging an open slot in the lower end of the tubing. The thread of the screw is made to project from the cone or body of the screw, so that it will draw the cone into the earth when the screw is turned. This causes the cone to press the earth outward as it advances, and thus form acompact wall, inside of which ,the .{curbing will pass. The rod or boring-tube is detachable from the screw, so that when the hole or well has been bored to the desired depth the rod can be detached from the screw and withdrawn, leaving the screw in the bottom of the hole or well. I also provide means for supplying water below the screw, to soften the earth and facilitate the boring operation. I also providejan improved curb-section for following the screw, all as hereinafter more fully described.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is an elevation of the tube with the screw -threaded cylinder and cone, with the spindle-point fixed thereto in position for driving the well. Fig.2 shows, in detail, the screwthreaded cylinder and cone and the spindle. Fig. 3 shows the mode of applying a tube or casing of larger diameter to the boring-cone. Fig. 4 is a detail view of the cone-spindle.

A is a short metal cylinder, the lower end of which is made conical, and the conical portion or end is provided with one or more screw threads, b b, which project out from the body of the screw like flanges. This cylinder has a hole passing through its center, the point or apex of the cone is cut off, and a movable supplemental point, C, is attached in front of it. This point is long and slender, being also conical in form, and it has a spindle, at, running through the hole in the cylinder A. A

shoulder, c, is formed around the spindle on the large end of the cone, which seats itself against the truncated end of the screw-cone when pressure is applied in boring.

In some cases I shall make a slot,f, on the inside of the truncated end of the screw-cone, and form a projection, g, on the spindle of the point, so that when the point is forced against the end of the screw-cone the pin will enter the slot and thus lock the two parts so that they will turn together; but this is not necessary.

The upper end of the cylinder A has a neck or shank, h, formed on it, over which thelower end of the boring tube or rod I fits. The neck or shank has a short pin or stud, t, projecting from it, and the lower end of the boring-tube I has an opening, j, cut in it on one side, so that when the lower end of the tube has been dropped down over the shank or neck It and turned so as to allow the pin or stud to enter the slot the cylinder can be rotated in either direction by turning the tube, the pin striking against the sides of the slot in whichever direction the tube is turned.

The spindle d of the point passes entirely through the cylinder and has a ring, is, secured to its upper end, which is designed to be large enough to prevent the spindle from dropping out.

A cord or chain, Z, is secured to the ring and passes up through the tube I, so that the point can he raised or lowered by means of the cord.

M is the casing-tube, which follows down behind the cylinder A, and inside of which the boring'tube I passes. The lower end of this casing-tube I make tapering, as shown, so that it will follow easily after the cylinder and gradually press itself against the wall formed by the descending screw. This casing-tubel will feed downward by means of a screw the threads of which correspond with the threads in the screw-cone, so that the boring-auger and curb or casing move simultaneously. The device which I shall use for forcing this curb down into the well is described in the Letters Patent No. 198,058, which was issued to Jackson and Vaughn on the 11th day ofDecember, 1877.

In boring a well I connect the lower end of the boring-tube I with the shank h of the cyljoint between the shoulder on the large end ot M n e u iuder, as above described. I then start the point 41 into the earth until the threads of the auger take hold on the ground. l then rotate the boring-tube and anger, which causes the auger to advance with great rapidity, pressing the earth outward as it progresses. The curb is simultaneously pressed down, as before stated. Should the earth become so hard as to require much force to rotate the screw I pour water down the boring tube 1. The close the point (I and the end of the cone will pre vent the water from passing out at the lower end of the cylinder until the screw is slightly retracted, which is done by turning the boringrod in an opposite direction. This allows the water to tlow out and moisten and soften the earth, so that the anger or screw will turn easily. Before borine'ag'ain the point is raised by means of the cord I. .\s stated. the point (I need not rotate with the screw. The pressure will alwaysbesullicient to force it downward. \Vhen the well has been bored to the desired depth I simply detach the borin; :*rod I from the cylinder A and withdraw it from the hole, leaving, the cylinder in the bottom and the curb in place.

The cylinder and point are quite inexpensive, and they form a solid bottom for the well, so that its loss isot' no consequence. lly this means I am able to sink wells with great rapidity and case. 1

I am aware that, broadly, it is old to use a sinking cone or point detachable from a tllbel section with a lower tapering end; also, thatit isold to employ a reaming conical point adapted to connect with and be attached to an outer tube. and having a spindle or red extending through an inner tube with slot to receive stud on the connecting section of tubing.

Havingthus described my invention,what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination, with the tubing I, with its lower edge or end provided with a recess or open slot,j, and sinking point or cone (3, havin; a stud, y, and the spindle or rod d, having amanipulating-rope or its equivalent, l, of the cylinder A, with its lower end truncated and provided with screw threads or blades 1;, and its upper end made conical or shouldered, as at h. and provided with a stud, i, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination of the tube I with its lower edge provided with a recess or open slot,j, cone or point C, having, a stud, g, and rod or spindle (I, provided with a ring, It, and rope I, conical cylinder A. with its lower end truncated, and provided with a screw blade or thread, h, and its upper end provided with a stud, i, and casing M, with a tapering lower end, substantially as set forth.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal.

WALTER W. VAUGHN. [1..s.]

Witnesses:

.Ixo. L. BOONE, (Mao. E. CASE. 

